This chocolate protein smoothie does not require protein powder! With 20 g of protein per serving, it is a family-friendly protein smoothie that tastes delicious, with no gross aftertaste or weird ingredients!

When I worked at WIC almost 15 years ago, I developed this smoothie as a more cost-effective solution for a protein shake. My clients then were often looking for ways to use their WIC-approved foods in healthy, kid-friendly ways and, as I worked mostly with the highest-risk infants and kids, some had growth concerns and needed low-cost, protein and calorie-rich choices.

Fast forward a few years and I worked as a Division 1 Sports Dietitian and, similarily, my student athletes were also looking for ways to maximize nutrition on a budget. These smoothies were so popular, that I worked with dining services to have them as an option for our althetes post-workouts.

Now, I’m a mom of two and I’m still making a version of this smoothie. It’s great for nights when my kids really aren’t hungry, but will drink a smoothie, or for days where I want to bump up the nutrition.

blender with chocolate protein smoothie ingredients

Chocolate Protein Smoothie Ingredient Notes

No powders or weird ingredients required– just the whole foods we all love: soy milk, chia seeds, beans and peanut butter.

It’s also very customizable. If you want to add in a handful of kale, spinach or other greens, it works! (I often add in another date or two to help with bitterness for kids, but not for adults.)

A cup of berries also helps bump the antioxidants. Try frozen wild blueberries (my favorite) or any other type of berry.

You can use cacoa powder instead of cocoa.

You can also use any type of seed– hemp, flax, chia or go crazy and add all three.

Tips for Success

If you do end up adding in more ingredients, you may need extra liquid.

Make sure your banana is frozen for best results. I store ripe, peeled and chopped banana in this freezer bag so I’ve always got frozen bananas on hand for smoothie recipes and açaí bowls. However, if you don’t have a frozen banana then add in a handful of ice cubes for best results.

I keep frozen chickpeas in my freezer for this for better texture, but you don’t have to freeze them. Drain and rinse your chickpeas before adding them to your smoothie. I know beans sound odd in smoothies, but we did it in our Black Bean Brownie smoothie and it works!

The dates are needed in this chocolate protein smoothie for both texture and sweetness. If you have hard dates, then you’ll likely want to soak them for a few minutes in hot water so they are easier to blend. Make sure to pit them first!

This is the blender that I use– it’s less expensive than other brands on the market and just as effective as more expensive brands I’ve used in the past!

If you have any leftover smoothie, then I recommend these silicone cubes to pour the smoothie in to freeze. Then, I just add the cubes with a little milk into a blender whenever I need one.

If you make this chocolate protein smoothie recipe, make sure to come back to leave a rating and a comment. Your feedback helps other readers and seeing you make my recipes makes our day!

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